Must-Have Kitchen Tools That Will Make Kitchen Life Better
- Jul 12
- 5 min read
Have You Ever Wondered If Kitchen Tools Are Truly Necessary?
In the kitchen, I like all the gadgets. I would prefer having tools that can be used for multiple things, however, I've learned that some kitchen tools are truly needed to make things easier and better in the kitchen.
If you've ever canned, made sourdough, or fermented, some of these tools will look familiar to you.
I have broken this post into two sections to help the flow of this article. Recommendations are things I consider an essential item. The 2nd section contains items that are nice to have, or things that could go on a wish list for later.
Angie's Recommendations For Basic Kitchen Tools For Canning, Fermenting, & Sourdough
Tool #1 - Canning Funnel
Notes: A multi-purpose tool! I use this for everything from feeding my sourdough starter to canning. Great anytime I need to measure into a jar.
Useful for: canning, fermenting, sourdough, and anytime I need to put things into a jar.
Tool #2 - Lid Lifter
Notes: While this is mainly for picking up a lid and putting it onto a canning jar, I also like to use it for grabbing my canning rings. It's got a magnet on the end to easily pick up anything metal,
Useful for: Canning - I guess you could it anytime you need to place a lid on a jar but it's really meant for canning.
Tool #3 - Jar Lifter
Notes: It's a 1 purpose tool, but the purpose is essential. It's the only way I know how to safely remove my hot jars from my canner.
Useful for: Canning
Notes: For this one, I highly recommend investing in a Vitamix. I've spent 5 years buying a new blender every year to year and a half and spending between $100-$150 every time. I finally said "no more" and invested in a Vitamix. Best decision I've made. It's great for everything from vanilla paste & smoothies to soups!
Useful for: Canning, grinding herbs into powder, and many recipes
Tool #5 - Water Air Locks
Notes: Water airlocks are something I consider 100% needed for fermenting. I've tried many different airlocks, and most were cumbersome or lead to moldy ferments. By using water air locks I've not had a single ferment mold.
Useful for: Fermenting, not recommended or needed for sourdough
Tool #6 - Silicone Air Lock
Notes: I used these airlocks for a while and found some of my ferments were moldy. Now I use these air locks as a way to hold down any "floaters" in my ferments. It's one of the best things I've found that works for holding down floaters.
Useful for: Fermenting
Tool #7 - Bench Scraper
Notes: When I saw people using a bench scraper, I always thout that it was more for "chefs" not someone like me. I used one for the first time at a friends house and I was sold. A bench scraper has transformed my kitchen life. From cutting my sourdough cinnamon rolls, to easily picking up all my chopped items, it's a very useful tool! I also have plastic bench scrapers which work great for gently removing hard-to-get-off foods from my dishes.
Useful for: Canning, Fermenting, Sourdough, and any time I chop in the kitchen
Angie's Nice-To-Haves For Basic Kitchen Tools For Canning, Fermenting, & Sourdough
Tool #1 - Jar Scraper
Notes: Essentially a very long, skinny spatula. Great for getting every last drop out of any jar.
Useful for: Canning, Fermenting, Sourdough, and any other time I need to scrape a jar!
Tool #2 - Glass Fermentation Weights
Notes: I recommend getting the type that is inset. The inset weights are easier to store since they can be wrapped and stacked. The downside is sometimes liquid from the ferment gets in but can't get out. I still prefer these, I just ensure my ferments cover ths wegith.
Useful for: Fermenting & Extracts
Tool #3 - Swedish Dishcloth
Notes: Other than being environmentally friendly & great for dishes, a swedish dishcloth is perfect for any little spills or cleanups I need to do in the kitchen. I also find them great for the "onion hack" - just wet it and place it next to the cutting board when I'm cutting onions and I dont cry! No one wants teary eyes when in the kitchen.
Useful for: Fermenting, Sourdough, Canning
Tool #4 - Magnets For Repeatable Recipes
Notes: I LOVE my magnetic sticky notes. Being able to write down key things for a recipe like sourdough makes making sourdough more manageable. Now I don't forget what step I'm on, what is next, or what time I did which step! First, I mock up the recipe on the computer, then I write it in permanent marker on the magnent. When I want to make sourdough, I just slap the magnent on the fridge where I can see it.
Useful for: Canning, Fermenting, Sourdough
Tool #5 - Sticky Notes - For Easy Reference/Tagging
Notes: While I love finding recipes online, I prefer physical books. For me, sticky notes make it easy to adjust recipes as needed. Likewise, being able to make a note showing what ingredients I have on hand or need to purchase is also helpful. For me, I take the sticky note of needed ingredients to the store. When I come home those ingredients are kept together along with the sticky note so I don't forget why I bought them in the first place!
Useful for: Canning, Fermenting, Sourdough
Notes: Basic loaf pans could be considered essential to some kitchens, for me it's a nice to have. These can be used for multiple recipes, including sourdough & chicken bread.
Useful for: Sourdough
Tool #7 - Jumbo Binder Clips
Notes: These may seem like an odd kitchen tool, but stick with me. My friend showed me this hack to keep my loaf pans together when baking sourdough. One pan is flipped upside down on top of the other, and then secured with a binder clip. The plastic doesn't melt even at high (500°F) temps! I was shocked. I recommend using brand name clips as I haven't tested cheaper alternatives.
Useful for: Sourdough
Tool #8 - Mini Loaf Pan
Notes: These mini loaf pans are great for making tasting loaves of sourdough. Unsure if you will like the flavor of any add-ins to your loaf? Make a small sample size!
Useful for: Sourdough
Notes: My goodness, I go through so many towels in the kitchen, especially when canning. I always have a towel down for letting my jars cool as well as a towel for drying my clean hands and a 3rd towel for dirty hands only. On large canning days I've been known to go through 10+ towels in a day!
Useful for: Canning, Fermenting, Sourdough
Final Thoughts On Kitchen Tools
While the nice-to-haves are truly not necessary, they sure make my kitchen life better. If you are just getting started, focus on the recommendation list first. Typically, items on my nice-to-have list will have many alternatives or easy hacks online so it's not a worry to not have these items on hand.
What tools am I missing from my lists for sourdough, fermenting, and canning?
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